Bob O'Brien, Rockford airport part ways

Bob O'Brien, for nine years the executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport, is leaving the airport effective Thursday, March 31.

His departure was made official about 4 p.m. Wednesday, a day after airport board chairman Brian Boyer resigned following a 75-minute closed board meeting.

A release from the airport said it was a mutual decision "reached after lengthy discussions regarding the strategic direction of the airport and O’Brien’s desire to pursue other opportunities."

“The Board would like to thank Bob for his many years of dedication and excellent work for the Airport and the community in general,” said Bharat Puri, acting board chairman, in a prepared statement.

“Under Bob’s leadership, the airport grew in both passenger and cargo traffic during his nine-year tenure. The airport also saw major infrastructure improvements in both the terminal and runway/taxiway system. The board wishes Bob the best in his future endeavors."

Under terms of the separation, which is subject to board approval, O'Brien will be paid a year's salary -- $189,763 -- and continue health insurance benefits for three months, Puri said.

Said O'Brien in the statement: "I would like to thank the community and the airport authority board for the opportunity to lead the airport over the past decade. The airport is well-positioned to continue to grow in both cargo and passenger air traffic. I also want to publicly thank the staff at the airport for their excellent work and dedication."

Franz Olson has been appointed acting airport director. Olson, who has been at the airport for 35 years, is deputy director of operations and facilities at the airport. Olson is scheduled to retire in June.

"There is an outstanding staff at the airport and I don't think their day-to-day jobs will change," said Commissioner Darrin Golden.

O'Brien was hired in February 2002, nearly a year after Northwest Airlines pulled out, leaving the airport with no passenger service. His charge was to get regular airline service restored, get charter service to vacation destinations and get more cargo through the airport.

In 2003, after a 20-day fund raising campaign where 4,500 individuals and 450 businesses invested $270,000 to market air service between Rockford an Orlando, Fla., now defunct TransMeridian Airlines began air service. It was the first of several airlines to cycle through the airport, including United Express, Hooters Air and Northwest Airlink.

That was the start of a marketing strategy that continues today: Draw passengers from southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and Chicago's suburbs with low-fares to vacation destinations, free parking and a hassle-free airport experience, a direct contrast to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

In 2005, Allegiant Air began serving the airport and is now it's dominant carrier, with service several times a week to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando and Tampa. Direct Air also flies passengers to two Florida cities, Punta Gorda and West Palm Beach. And Apple Vacations, which expanded service this year to Cancun.

Last year 165,718 passengers flew to and from the airport. Passenger traffic peaked in 2007 at 214,699 and has declined since.

On the cargo side, UPS dominates shipping at the airport. In recent years O'Brien went after international air shippers. It partnered with Chicago developer to build a cargo facility at the airport in 2008, which was completed as the economy sank into a deep recession. The building remains vacant.

In the past year several 747s loaded with cargo from China landed in Rockford. Freight was unloaded, put on trucks and sent to O'Hare. Airport officials hoped to make a splash in the industry by timing operations start to finish. Not only did freight flown into Rockford arrive at its destination faster, the airport said it was also cheaper.

Despite those advantages, the strategy has yet to land regular cargo service to the airport.

bleaf@rrstar.com815-987-1343

Brian Leaf

Bob O'Brien, for nine years the executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport, is leaving the airport effective Thursday, March 31.

His departure was made official about 4 p.m. Wednesday, a day after airport board chairman Brian Boyer resigned following a 75-minute closed board meeting.

A release from the airport said it was a mutual decision "reached after lengthy discussions regarding the strategic direction of the airport and O’Brien’s desire to pursue other opportunities."

“The Board would like to thank Bob for his many years of dedication and excellent work for the Airport and the community in general,” said Bharat Puri, acting board chairman, in a prepared statement.

“Under Bob’s leadership, the airport grew in both passenger and cargo traffic during his nine-year tenure. The airport also saw major infrastructure improvements in both the terminal and runway/taxiway system. The board wishes Bob the best in his future endeavors."

Under terms of the separation, which is subject to board approval, O'Brien will be paid a year's salary -- $189,763 -- and continue health insurance benefits for three months, Puri said.

Said O'Brien in the statement: "I would like to thank the community and the airport authority board for the opportunity to lead the airport over the past decade. The airport is well-positioned to continue to grow in both cargo and passenger air traffic. I also want to publicly thank the staff at the airport for their excellent work and dedication."

Franz Olson has been appointed acting airport director. Olson, who has been at the airport for 35 years, is deputy director of operations and facilities at the airport. Olson is scheduled to retire in June.

"There is an outstanding staff at the airport and I don't think their day-to-day jobs will change," said Commissioner Darrin Golden.

O'Brien was hired in February 2002, nearly a year after Northwest Airlines pulled out, leaving the airport with no passenger service. His charge was to get regular airline service restored, get charter service to vacation destinations and get more cargo through the airport.

In 2003, after a 20-day fund raising campaign where 4,500 individuals and 450 businesses invested $270,000 to market air service between Rockford an Orlando, Fla., now defunct TransMeridian Airlines began air service. It was the first of several airlines to cycle through the airport, including United Express, Hooters Air and Northwest Airlink.

That was the start of a marketing strategy that continues today: Draw passengers from southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and Chicago's suburbs with low-fares to vacation destinations, free parking and a hassle-free airport experience, a direct contrast to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

In 2005, Allegiant Air began serving the airport and is now it's dominant carrier, with service several times a week to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando and Tampa. Direct Air also flies passengers to two Florida cities, Punta Gorda and West Palm Beach. And Apple Vacations, which expanded service this year to Cancun.

Last year 165,718 passengers flew to and from the airport. Passenger traffic peaked in 2007 at 214,699 and has declined since.

On the cargo side, UPS dominates shipping at the airport. In recent years O'Brien went after international air shippers. It partnered with Chicago developer to build a cargo facility at the airport in 2008, which was completed as the economy sank into a deep recession. The building remains vacant.

In the past year several 747s loaded with cargo from China landed in Rockford. Freight was unloaded, put on trucks and sent to O'Hare. Airport officials hoped to make a splash in the industry by timing operations start to finish. Not only did freight flown into Rockford arrive at its destination faster, the airport said it was also cheaper.

Despite those advantages, the strategy has yet to land regular cargo service to the airport.

bleaf@rrstar.com815-987-1343

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